180 degree operating temps

[270win]

My 90' SR 220 cuddy has a 260hp Mercruiser/Alpha1. The factory temp gauge shows 180 degrees all the time, idle, WOT, cruise, etc. I've replaced the impeller, water lines, engine driven water pump and thermostat...I haven't ran a seperate gause to see if that's the issue, but I'd like to see 145 or so. Any ideas?

180 won't do damage but it's a bit warmer than ideal.

 

[Presentation]

My 90' SR 220 cuddy has a 260hp Mercruiser/Alpha1. The factory temp gauge shows 180 degrees all the time, idle, WOT, cruise, etc. I've replaced the impeller, water lines, engine driven water pump and thermostat...I haven't ran a seperate gause to see if that's the issue, but I'd like to see 145 or so. Any ideas?

180 won't do damage but it's a bit warmer than ideal.

My gauges do not have a 180 mark. They do have a 170 mark. Once warmed up both of my gauges stay just above 170. I have twin 5.0L V8's.


These are analogue gauges we have. They are intended to give you a general idea, not to the degree accuracy.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Can you put your hands on the manifolds? They shouldn't be so hot that you have to remove them instantly.

The fact that the needle is staying consistent is an indicator of a healthy system - assuming the gauge is functional.

You didn't mention if this needle position is different from what it has been in the past?

As said above - they're not always all that accurate. Buy an IR gun and take some temperatures at various locations - including the temp sender on the t-stat housing. Then you'll know for sure.

 

[270win]

My gauge has 100 to the left, 145 in the middle, a "tick" mark with no number, and then 220 to full right, it sits on the tick mark between the 145 and the 220 so I interpolate that as around 180. It may fluctuate a needle width or two at the most.

The manifolds are hot, but not impossible to touch, but you wouldn't leave your hand sitting there more than .5 second or so.

I was thinking about getting an IR gun. The engine gives no other signs of being hot.